"Feelings are mutual, you know." Zhou Zhuofei dropped her earlier playful tone and spoke earnestly: "You have to put your heart into it."
"The conversation just escalated to a whole new level."
Zhou Zhuofei understood—this topic was indeed too soon for Zhan Zilang. His current state reminded her of herself a few years ago, relishing the freedom of being single. His sincerity in this moment didn’t mean he was ready.
Pushing him into the next stage now would be like forcing a seedling to grow.
So she lightened her tone and said casually, "It’s fine. You’re still young. Maybe fate will find you one day."
That evening, Zhan Zilang treated everyone to a farewell dinner, then dragged most of the group out for karaoke.
Zhou Zhuofei had been running on coffee all day and was now running on fumes.
Not wanting to leave too early, she found a quiet corner to rest and recharge. When the time felt right, she finally said her goodbyes to Zhan Zilang.
"Zilang, I really can’t keep my eyes open anymore. I’m heading home to sleep."
Seeing her exhaustion, Zhan Zilang immediately urged her to go rest.
"How are you getting back, Zhou? Should I arrange a ride for you?"
"No need, I’ll just take a cab."
"You’re barely awake—what if you fall asleep in the car?"
Zhan Zilang was genuinely worried, but calling someone now would take time. He glanced back at his colleagues, still belting out songs with enthusiasm, and made a quick decision.
"How about I take you home? It’s not far anyway."
"Don’t be silly. This is your party—you can’t just leave." Zhou Zhuofei reassured him, "I’m not that out of it. A cab will be fine."
"Then just wait a bit. I’ll get someone here."
As the two debated, a soft voice chimed in: "I was actually about to head home too. Maybe I can go with Zhou?"
They turned and saw Qiao Qi standing nearby.
"But that’s still two women alone."
In Zhan Zilang’s mind, letting women go home unaccompanied late at night was out of the question. No matter who escorted whom, someone would still end up alone.
Not wanting to dismiss his concern—and acknowledging he had a point—Zhou Zhuofei agreed to wait a little longer.
The final plan was for Zhan Zilang to call a driver.
Twenty minutes later, Zhou Zhuofei and Qiao Qi finally got into the car.
Zhan Zilang walked them out. Just before getting in, Zhou Zhuofei remembered their conversation from earlier. With no one else around, she opened her arms and asked, "How about a hug?"
He froze for a second, then grinned and stepped forward, giving her a quick, light embrace before pulling away.
"Zhou, I hope you stay happy."
"You too."
"Let’s keep in touch." Zhan Zilang’s gaze flickered to Qiao Qi, who was nervously avoiding eye contact, so he turned to her directly.
"Qiao Qi, how about you?"
Her face flushed bright red. "N-no, it’s fine!" she stammered.
"Alright." Zhan Zilang lowered his arms, feigning disappointment. "It’s been great working with you these past few months."
"Same here."
"Enough sentimentality. Get some rest, and message the group when you’re home."
"Got it. Goodbye."
Once in the car, Zhou Zhuofei noticed Qiao Qi stealing glances out the window—or more accurately, at Zhan Zilang still standing on the sidewalk. She knew exactly what was on her mind.
"There’s still time," Zhou Zhuofei gently pointed out.
Qiao Qi startled like a deer in headlights. "Huh?"
"If you have something else to say to Zilang, you can still go back now."
The driver, overhearing, paused. "Should I open the door?"
But Qiao Qi was more concerned about her feelings being exposed. She forced composure and deflected, "No, it’s fine. I’ll text him later."
"Then we’ll go?"
As the car pulled away, Qiao Qi couldn’t resist one last look—only to find Zhan Zilang already gone.
Regret washed over her. Another chance slipped through her fingers.
She knew all too well her habit of hesitation, but knowing and overcoming were two different things. After her last failure, she hadn’t dared try again.
And now she questioned whether her feelings for Zhan Zilang were even real. Was this love, or just admiration?
Turning to Zhou Zhuofei, she finally voiced the question gnawing at her: "Zhou, how did you and Secretary Xiao start dating?"
Zhou Zhuofei and Secretary Xiao’s relationship was no secret in the admin department. Everyone had seen Xiao Wang drop by for her, and while the teasing had died down, the sightings hadn’t.
Qiao Qi was one of those who’d observed them. Their easy, natural closeness made her wonder: Could she and Zhan Zilang ever be like that?
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t picture it.
She knew almost nothing about Zhan Zilang—just that he loved gaming and had a cheerful, carefree personality. It was that bold, confident aura that drew her in, a life so unlike her own cautious existence.
"Honestly, dating a coworker sounds weird, right? I thought so too. But we barely interacted at work, so it never felt like that. And outside of work, we just... clicked. He thought I was great, I thought he was great, and that was that."
"I’m actually pretty timid. At first, I doubted myself—was I misreading things? But doubting got me nowhere, so I tested the waters. Turns out, I was right."
Qiao Qi sighed. "That’s so nice."
The most beautiful love story was mutual: I like you, and you like me back.
"It really is."
"You and Secretary Xiao are perfect together. I hope you stay happy."
"Thanks, Qiao Qi. You’ll find your happiness too."
She forced a weak, bitter smile. "For someone like me? I doubt it."
Could someone as hesitant and unremarkable as her ever be loved?
"It depends on how you define happiness. As long as you’re content, that’s enough. My life now is wonderful, but I don’t regret the years I spent alone. I chose that, and I was happy then too."
Zhou Zhuofei spoke while hugging Qiao Qi, "With a positive mindset, I believe everyone can find happiness."
Caught off guard by the embrace, Qiao Qi didn’t react at first, but the warmth of the hug—a direct and sincere gesture—gradually eased the stiffness in her body.
The whirlwind of chaotic thoughts in her mind also settled under the comforting warmth.
Suddenly, Qiao Qi’s eyes grew moist. She closed them, not wanting Zhou Zhuofei to notice her tears.
Yet her trembling voice betrayed her emotions. "Zhou Zhou, you’re so kind."
"Hehe, I know."
Zhou Zhuofei knew she wasn’t strong enough to shoulder everyone’s burdens or change the world, but in this moment, she could at least offer Qiao Qi a small embrace.
If this hug could help Qiao Qi, then it would bring her joy too.
When Zhou Zhuofei returned home, she finished her necessary tasks before collapsing onto the bed. The sheets still carried Xiao Wang’s scent. Wrapped in the blanket, she rolled over and pulled out her phone, intending to send him a goodnight message.
The moment she sent a sticker, Xiao Wang called her.
"Done for the day?"
"Yeah, I’m about to sleep. What are you up to?"
"Reviewing materials for tomorrow. I’ll sleep soon too."
"Don’t stay up too late. What did you have for dinner?"
"A welcome banquet with the Xinxing team."
"Oh, was it good?"
"Decent. Business dinners are never terrible."
"That’s true..."
Xiao Wang noticed Zhou Zhuofei’s voice growing faint and sluggish. "Are you sleepy? Go to bed if you are."
"Just a few more sentences. You’ll be busy tomorrow."
"It’s fine. If you’re tired, sleep. You didn’t rest well today anyway."
"Okay..."
Exhausted from the day, Zhou Zhuofei could barely keep her eyes open. She closed them, waiting for the call to end.
But after a few seconds, the line remained connected.
"Why haven’t you hung up?"
"I’ll hang up after you fall asleep." Xiao Wang couldn’t bring himself to end the call—once he did, the room would be silent again, just him and his laptop filled with documents.
So he placed the phone beside his computer, letting Zhou Zhuofei’s breathing accompany his work.
Hearing his words, even in her drowsy state, Zhou Zhuofei couldn’t help laughing.
"That’s so childish!"
She remembered her college days when a roommate in a relationship would fall asleep on call with her boyfriend every night.
Back then, she couldn’t understand it at all. Now, she realized she just hadn’t been enlightened yet.
Seems Du Yu’s saying—"If you can still think rationally, it’s not love"—held more truth than ever.
Xiao Wang chuckled helplessly and was about to hang up when Zhou Zhuofei’s voice came through again.
"But being childish once in a while isn’t so bad."
What’s childish alone becomes shared affection when done together. Who cares what others think? As long as they’re happy.
"Alright, I’m sleeping now. Don’t stay up too late either."
Xiao Wang slowly withdrew his hand. The cold glow of the screen illuminated his face but couldn’t mask the tenderness in his eyes.
"Sweet dreams."
